Modular building block building system

Abstract

A system and method for constructing and using modular building blocks. The blocks may include two walls, a course, end conditions, a reinforcing assembly, and vertical and lateral retaining members. The walls may include lateral supports disposed lengthwise on a top and a bottom surface. Lateral retainer members may be disposed into the lateral supports. The walls may also include channels extending from the top surface to the bottom surface. Vertical retainer members may be disposed into the channels. The course may be disposed between and coupled to the walls and characterized by one or more turns. The reinforcing assembly may be set inside the walls and the course. The reinforcing assembly may include wire mesh portions disposed to form interlocks, where the interlocks provide structural support for the channels. The modular building blocks may be coupled together with structurally complimentary end conditions.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A device comprising:
 a first wall,
 said first wall including a first lateral support disposed lengthwise on a first surface and a second lateral support disposed lengthwise on a second surface, wherein said first lateral support of said first wall includes an extended portion, and said second lateral support of said first wall includes a recess, 
 said first wall including at least one channel extending from the first surface to the second surface; 
 
 a second wall,
 said second wall including a first lateral support disposed lengthwise on a first surface and a second lateral support disposed lengthwise on a second surface, wherein said first lateral support of said second wall includes an extended portion, and said second lateral support of said second wall includes a recess, 
 said second wall including at least one channel extending from the first surface to the second surface; 
 
 a course disposed between and coupled to said first wall and said second wall,
 said course characterized by one or more turns, wherein a first length of said course is disposed between the first and second wall at a 45 degree angle and a second length is disposed from said first length at a 90 degree angle; 
 
 at least one end condition,
 said end condition including a partial-height element disposed along said course, whereby said partial-height element is matchable with an inverse thereof; 
 
 a reinforcing assembly disposed inside said first wall, said course, and said second wall, wherein said reinforcing assembly includes:
 a plurality of wire mesh portions having one or more first portions disposed substantially in a planar manner along at least a part of said first wall and having one or more second portions disposed substantially in an undulating manner along at least a part of said course in a region where said course meets said first wall, 
 interpenetrating to form one or more interlocks and disposed to define a void between said first portions and said second portions, said void defining an elongated space having an axis, 
 said one or more interlocks disposed about the channels, capable of restraining a vertical element when positioned therebetween from movement in an XY plane substantially transverse from said axis, and capable of having their movement restrained in said XY plane by said vertical element when positioned therebetween, wherein the one or more interlocks provides structural support for the channels in response to compression between a straight part of at least one of said one or more first portions and a bent part of at least one of said one or more second portions. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of vertical retainer members having a size smaller than said channel. 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 2  wherein said vertical retainer members includes a plurality of fasteners. 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of lateral retainer members, wherein said lateral retainer members are disposed in said recesses. 
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 1  wherein a chase is disposed in the course and the reinforcing assembly. 
     
     
       6. A device comprising:
 a first wall,
 said first wall including a first lateral support disposed lengthwise on a first surface and a second lateral support disposed lengthwise on a second surface, 
 said first wall including at least one channel extending from the first surface to the second surface; 
 
 a course coupled to said first wall, said course characterized by one or more turns; 
 a second wall coupled to said course,
 said second wall including a first lateral support disposed lengthwise on a first surface and a second lateral support disposed lengthwise on a second surface, 
 said second wall including at least one channel extending from the first surface to the second surface; 
 
 at least one end condition,
 said end condition including a partial-height element disposed along said course, whereby said partial-height element is matchable with an inverse thereof; and 
 
 a reinforcing assembly disposed inside said first wall, said course, and said second wall, wherein said reinforcing assembly includes:
 a plurality of wire mesh portions having one or more first portions disposed substantially in a planar manner along at least a part of said first wall and having one or more second portions disposed substantially in an undulating manner along at least a part of said course in a region where said course meets said first wall, 
 interpenetrating to form one or more interlocks and disposed to define a void between said first portions and said second portions, said void defining an elongated space having an axis. 
 
 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 6  further including a reinforcing assembly disposed inside said first wall, said course, and said second wall. 
     
     
       8. The device of  claim 7  wherein said reinforcing assembly includes:
 a plurality of wire mesh portions disposed to form one or more interlocks having one or more first portions disposed along at least a part of said first wall and having one or more second portions disposed along at least a part of said course in a region where said course meets said first wall, 
 said one or more interlocks disposed about the channels, 
 wherein the one or more interlocks provides structural support for the channels in response to compression between a straight part of at least one of said one or more first portions and a bent part of at least one of said one or more second portions. 
 
     
     
       9. The device of  claim 7  wherein a chase is disposed in the course and reinforcing assembly. 
     
     
       10. The device of  claim 6  further comprising a plurality of vertical retainer members having a size smaller than said channel. 
     
     
       11. The device of  claim 10  wherein said vertical retainer members includes a plurality of fasteners. 
     
     
       12. The device of  claim 6  wherein said lateral supports are recesses disposed for receiving lateral retainer members. 
     
     
       13. The device of  claim 6  wherein the first lateral support is a raised portion and the second lateral support is a dimple.